How important is Lions football to Michigan? Flint GM plant temporarily adjusts Sunday shift in 'rare, unique opportunity' so workers can enjoy NFC Championship game
FLINT (WWJ) - General Motors confirmed it is pushing back production at its Flint Assembly plant on Sunday night so employees can watch the Detroit Lions take on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship.
GM spokesman Kevin Kelly confirmed to the Detroit Free Press that workers on third shift will report to work an hour later so they can enjoy the NFC Championship game as the Lions travel to the Golden Gate City to play against the 49ers at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 28.
In a post to Reddit, employees shard an automated message from the Detroit automaker informing employees that there will not be an early start on Sunday's third shift with normal production beginning at 10:42 p.m. for Body and Paint while those working in General Assembly told to report at 11 p.m.
"We recognize the Detroit Lions playing in the NFC Championship game as a rare, unique opportunity that warrants this temporary schedule adjustment to allow employees to enjoy the game and make it to work on time," the message read.
One employee took to social media to state: "In my 13+ years at GM, I've never seen a postponement to start the week. Even two feet of snow wouldn't do it lol. This is for the city!"
Flint Assembly Plant, which builds heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, is the only GM-owned plant in Michigan that runs a third shift on Sunday. Roughly 1,500 employees work third shift at the facility, with production beginning at 10 p.m. and spanning over nine hours.
Ford Motor Company, controlled by the Ford family who also owns the Detroit Lions, did not immediately comment on whether their productions shifts would change for the big game when contacted by the Detroit Free Press.
Stellantis spokeswoman Jodi Tinson told the Free Press in an email that while they are celebrating the Lions' success, they would not be making any adjusts to their production to "meet the expectations of our customers and dealers."
Kelly notes that GM has made shift changes in the past to accommodate Super Bowls and other big games. Two of their Lansing-based facilities have had delayed starts to accommodate the in-state rivalry football game between the Spartans and Wolverines.
"We know this is a rare moment in Detroit sports history and we want our team to savor the moment, while still assuring we're providing our customers and dealers with the trucks they need," Kelly said.
